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13/05/2005
Dubai drug case victim tells of two-month ordeal
British sports osteopath, Tracy Wilkinson, jailed for seven weeks in Dubai following the discovery of traces of banned painkillers in her body, has said she feared that she would not survive to see her two children.
Acquitted on Sunday, Mrs Wilkinson, 44, returning to the UK via Heathrow on Thursday, said at one point during her ordeal she feared for her life after she was handcuffed in her cell for six hours.
Mrs Wilkinson who had been on holiday in Dubai, was detained by authorities over an alleged passport irregularity. A urine sample she was ordered to provide was later found to contain traces of the morphine-derived painkiller codeine. While legal in the UK, it is banned in the United Arab Emirates. As traces in the body amount to possession in the UAE law, Mrs Wilkinson found herself facing at least four-years in jail if convicted.
It took written evidence from her GP, who said that the painkillers had been prescribed for a back problem, before UAE authorities would consider her release.
Mrs Wilkinson told reporters that during her ordeal she had been handcuffed in a cell with one arm over her head. Unable to breathe properly she said that she thought she might have a heart attack and was going to die.
She had to wait for over two weeks while prosecutors decided on whether or not to appeal the case.
Finally released by the authorities on Wednesday, Mrs Wilkinson who had visited Dubai many times said that she would not be returning to the country.
Some airlines have said that will begin reminding passengers of drugs regulations and civil rights groups have cautioned travellers to make themselves familiar with the relevant laws relating to drugs, including prescription drugs, in the country to which they are intending to travel.
(SP)
Acquitted on Sunday, Mrs Wilkinson, 44, returning to the UK via Heathrow on Thursday, said at one point during her ordeal she feared for her life after she was handcuffed in her cell for six hours.
Mrs Wilkinson who had been on holiday in Dubai, was detained by authorities over an alleged passport irregularity. A urine sample she was ordered to provide was later found to contain traces of the morphine-derived painkiller codeine. While legal in the UK, it is banned in the United Arab Emirates. As traces in the body amount to possession in the UAE law, Mrs Wilkinson found herself facing at least four-years in jail if convicted.
It took written evidence from her GP, who said that the painkillers had been prescribed for a back problem, before UAE authorities would consider her release.
Mrs Wilkinson told reporters that during her ordeal she had been handcuffed in a cell with one arm over her head. Unable to breathe properly she said that she thought she might have a heart attack and was going to die.
She had to wait for over two weeks while prosecutors decided on whether or not to appeal the case.
Finally released by the authorities on Wednesday, Mrs Wilkinson who had visited Dubai many times said that she would not be returning to the country.
Some airlines have said that will begin reminding passengers of drugs regulations and civil rights groups have cautioned travellers to make themselves familiar with the relevant laws relating to drugs, including prescription drugs, in the country to which they are intending to travel.
(SP)
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